NBA: About Me Being Reincarnated As Yasuo, the Wind Walker

Then in 1978, the Trail Blazers got another No. 1 pick, and they also selected a celebrity, Michael Thompson, a big inside player.

Thompson Sr. has never been selected to the All-Star Game once in his career. Apart from winning two championships as a substitute for the Lakers in the 1986 and 1987 seasons, his only honor was being named to the All-Rookie Team in 1979.

This year the Trail Blazers were originally planning to select Larry Bird, but in May Bird suddenly decided to go back to college for another year. The Trail Blazers failed to persist and took advantage of the Celtics with the sixth overall pick!

After that, the Trail Blazers also picked the wrong person once, and the fans talked about it and called him mentally retarded to this day.

In 1984, the Trail Blazers, holding the second pick, selected Sam Bowie, who was averaging 28 points and 18 rebounds in the NCAA at the time. He was also a very outstanding big man.

The Blazers' management resolutely announced at the time that they would definitely not give up Bowie, the super center, for the more famous outside player Jordan.

As a result, this super center averaged only 11 points and 7 rebounds per game in the NBA and has never been an All-Star or won any NBA award.

Everyone in the entire meeting room was waiting for Paul Allen to speak. Paul Allen also knew how oppressive his arrival at the meeting would bring to these managers because he did not often interfere with team affairs.

"You can talk first, don't worry about my existence."

Steve Patterson was aggrieved and wanted to say, how can we do it when you are not there when you are here.

But there is someone strong in the Trail Blazers. Head coach Nate McMillan stood up unceremoniously and said: "This No. 1 pick is our opportunity!"

"I think we can definitely use this No. 1 pick to get Zhang Jun. We have inspected him enough in the past few months, and we fully understand how good he is."

"Whether it is immediate combat ability or talent, I believe Zhang Jun is one of the best among this rookie class. As the head coach of the team, I can say that with full responsibility."

"As long as the team selects Zhang Jun, his rookie season data is guaranteed to exceed 15 points per game!"

Paul Allen nodded frequently. During this period, Zhang Jun was indeed a little too popular in the United States, especially the games against Durant, Oden and the Florida Five, which made headlines in the United States.

Such enthusiasm was not common in previous years.

Paul Allen even heard that young fans throughout California are ardent fans of Zhang Jun. You must know that he is only a player who has not landed in the NBA.

"But after all, there is Greg Oden ahead. Any team that misses him will definitely regret it for the rest of its life."

Steve Patterson couldn't help but spread his hands and said.

He also acknowledged Zhang Jun's excellence, but seeing such an excellent center like Greg Oden appear in the draft, Steve Patterson really couldn't bear to miss him.

Just like when the big dream Olajuwon appeared in the draft, the whole world knew who the Rockets, holding the No. 1 pick, would select.

At this time Paul Allen finally spoke.

"I have reminded you before that the Trail Blazers have not made the playoffs for five years. I don't want to hear you tell me that the team will definitely make the playoffs in five or three years."

"Every day in my BOSS mailbox, Portland fans ask me when the Trail Blazers will reach the playoffs."

"We have been rebuilding for five years! I want to tell everyone now that we must make the playoffs next year."

"Don't tell me about the terror and intensity in the Western Conference. The strength of each team is far more terrifying than that in the Eastern Conference."

"I just want to ask, if we want to reach the playoffs next year, Greg Oden or Zhang Jun, who can help us."

Steve Patterson affirmed: "It's Greg Oden."

Nate McMillan said at the same time: "It's Zhang Jun!"

The two looked at each other big eyes and small eyes.

Paul Allen frowned and said, "Steve, Nate is the head coach of the team. Who do you think I should trust?"

Steve Patterson patted his chest repeatedly and said: "With the current rebuilding process of the Trail Blazers, the players in all positions are already very good. What we are missing now is a small forward and a center."

"Whether it's Zhang Jun or Greg Oden, the addition of the two will help us fill a player vacancy."

“It’s the same thing that helps us get to the playoffs.”

Nate McMillan had no intention of deceiving Paul Allen on this point. After seeing the questioning look from the other party, Nate McMillan nodded and acknowledged Steve Patterson's statement.

"Greg Oden's defense can really help us, even if he's just a rookie."

"Aldridge is an offensive power forward. With a defensive center filling in for him, Aldridge can completely focus on offense."

"Zach Randolph has a good defensive will and a strong body. Letting him join a strong defensive team may have good results. When he becomes the defensive core of a team, this is still too far-fetched. Some."

"And Greg Oden has a top-notch rim protector even in the NBA. The defensive difficulties we faced last season will be easily solved."

"Steve didn't lie."

Paul Allen was very satisfied with Nate McMillan's honesty, and he also recognized that the other party did not deceive him at this time.

In other words, if the Trail Blazers select Greg Oden, they will have to trade away the team's starting center last season, Zach Randolph, who averaged 23 points and 10 rebounds per game. .

"What about Zhang Jun?"

Nate McMillan said: "He has good defensive talent and a future, but now he does not have the ability to help us defend. At this point, he is more than a hair away from Greg Oden."

"But Zhang Jun can maximize our offensive talents."

"Last season we always fell short at the end of the game and lost the game many times with a deadlock of about 5 points."

"The reason is that our team lacks a player who can harvest the game at critical moments. This is the gap between us and strong teams."

"Zach Randolph, Brandon Roy, Jarrett Jack, LaMarcus Aldridge... none of them are clutch finishers."

"And Zhang Jun, I think he is the most terrifying killer in this year's draft."

Paul Allen certainly knew that Zhang Jun's breakthrough had already made him famous in the NCAA. Many NBA players even sighed at his breakthrough while watching the game.

For such a player with such a terrible breakthrough, he can indeed support the scoring task at critical moments.

Paul Allen felt embarrassed for a moment.

Steve Patterson suddenly said at this time: "But Zhang Jun has no shooting ability. This is his biggest shortcoming."

"Look in the NBA, which team will not let him go at a critical moment? His breakthrough power will be greatly reduced by then!"